The Vivienne's family say 'we're so proud' at green-lit vigil

At a moving vigil held in Liverpool on Sunday evening, the family of drag icon The Vivienne said they “brought light into lives” and would be “forever missed.” Hundreds gathered on the steps of St George’s Hall to pay tribute to the TV star, also known as James Lee Williams, who died last week at the age of 32.

The landmark was lit up in green to commemorate The Vivienne’s role in The Wizard of Oz, as the crowd swayed to the light of mobile phone torches, listening to a poignant rendition of Over the Rainbow. The Vivienne rose to fame after winning the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019. The Vivienne’s family said in a statement read out by friend Bobby Maskell: “As a family we are beyond touched by the outpouring of love for James, The Vivienne.”

The family remembered the “son, brother, uncle and true icon.” They said: “It was clear from a young age that they were destined for the stage… they were determined to make their own way in this world.” They also stated, “This road wasn’t easy, but the dream never changed, James always told us that they would achieve their dream, and they did.” The family said they were “so incredibly proud of everything they achieved,” adding, “We will miss you always and love you forever.”

Shortly before the statement was read, The Vivienne’s young niece, Isabella, took to the microphone, telling the crowd: “Thank you for coming here to celebrate my uncle. I love you, Uncle James.” The crowd listened to performances of Cher’s Heart of Stone and David Bowie’s Heroes by Joey and the Hot Water Boys, as well as speeches from a number of friends and colleagues. Danny Beard, winner of series four of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, called The Vivienne a “true larger-than-life” character who was “never bound by the ordinary.” They described The Vivienne as “a shining beacon for the LGBT community.”

Danny Beard stated: “These performances were not just shows, they were a celebration of life. They taught us that it’s OK to be loud and be yourself.” The vigil was organized with the help of Sahir House, Liverpool’s oldest LGBTQ+ charity. The Vivienne was an ambassador for the charity. Green balloons were released by the crowd to commemorate The Vivienne’s role as the Wicked Witch of the West in the 2024 production of The Wizard of Oz. The Vivienne’s publicist and friend, Simon Jones, told the BBC: “I will remember The Vivienne as a genuinely kind, lovely person, and the most amazing talent.”

Simon Jones added: “My favourite thing about The Vivienne was that she always made me laugh. Whether it was in her shows where she would be sarcastic with the audience or when we were having lunch or dinner or hanging out, no one could make me laugh like Viv. She always had a quick wit and something cutting to say. She was always so funny and I will really, really miss that. She brought so much love and warmth into my life.” Following an opening performance on Saturday evening’s ITV series Dancing on Ice, presenter Holly Willoughby paid tribute to the drag queen The Vivienne.

The show began with a routine of lifts and jumps by figure skaters dressed in pink, blue, and yellow costumes. After Willoughby welcomed viewers to the new series, she added: “Before we go any further, many of you, like us, will have been saddened by the tragic news of The Vivienne’s passing last weekend. They were a huge part of our show, making it all the way to the final in 2023. They will be very much missed, and our thoughts are with The Vivienne’s loved ones at this time. So sad.” After winning the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, The Vivienne was the only contestant from the UK series to compete in the All Stars 7 US series in 2022.

They became a household name through appearances on other TV shows, including Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Dancing on Ice, and Emmerdale. The Liverpool Empire Theatre was lit up in green in memory of The Vivienne. The Vivienne’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Last Friday, DragCon UK, a convention for fans of Drag Race, drew many of the show’s contestants. Host RuPaul Charles paid tribute to The Vivienne at the event’s opening, saying he wanted to focus on “love.”

RuPaul Charles said: “We will remember our dear The Vivienne with love, with life, and that’s what she was all about. She wanted you to live your lives, be free, have fun, and spread it around, didn’t she?” Other notable tributes came from Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, and singer and actor Ariana Grande. The Vivienne grew up in Colwyn Bay on the north coast of Wales. They attended the private school Rydal Penrhos, but dropped out at 16 to move to Liverpool to become a make-up artist. They later lived and performed in Gran Canaria, Spain. While the Liverpool event took place, a vigil was also held on the Spanish island.